BonaResponds Tool drive!

Announcing the BonaResponds tool drive!

From now through September 8th. BonaResponds will be accepting tools (new or used) that can be used to help others.

We are looking for pretty much everything!

Drills, hammers, chain saws, saws, work gloves, safety glasses, screwdrivers, clippers, rope, step ladders, paint brushes, rollers, rakes, shovels, etc.

Also while not tools, we have a great need for first aid kits.

If you have a trailer to donate you will really be appreciated!!

Email BonaResponds to arrange pick-ups!

(BTW note to students: when you come back to school, it would be great if you could bring some of these things with you-so ask your neighbors and family now.)

Local Service Day 28 July 2007 - a photoset on Flickr

Jerry has uploaded some pictures of the Local Service Day.

Stopping a downward spiral

The future prospects of high school drop outs are often limited at best. Without a diploma they are often faced with a long series of minimum wage jobs. Moreover, when they start families, they must deal not only with severe financial constraints but also they frequently lack parenting skills and the social and economic skills needed to succeed in today’s world.

Consequently, the children of high school dropouts tend to grow up in poor households. Coupled with a mindset that does not value education they are more apt to follow in their parents’ footsteps. The victims (whether they brought it on themselves or not, they are still victims) of this so-called “generational poverty” often adopt a short-term “have it now” approach to life which often leads to drug use, poor nutrition, no savings, and overall poor decision making. Of course this feeds the cycle and soon another generation is caught in the downward spiral.

Dealing with the problem is difficult to say the least. Many of the people in the situation do not realize their own conditions or the causes of their position. Rather than admit dropping out was a mistake, they blame their employer, bad luck, or any of a million other things. Moreover, like a sports team on a losing streak, they generally lack the confidence to invest in the future (and yes education is an investment), and over time often develop the mindset that the world is against them.

And even if these substantial hurdles are somehow overcome, there are practical barriers as well. For instance, how can the dropout go back to school with a full time job? Or if the parent has children that need childcare?

The Olean Community Schools Even Start Program is designed to deal with these problems. Funded through a hodge-podge of Federal, State, and Local sources, the program works with about 100 local families on everything from Basic Living skills to GED preparation, to English as Second Language classes, to preparing to enter the workforce. (Technically Even Start is only one portion of the Community Schools program, but they operate so seamlessly that to an outsider they appear to be one).

However, things are far from perfect. Space limitations have forced the program to be spread throughout the district. Thus, the classes rotate from site to site and child care can be at another location altogether. This would be inefficient under the best circumstances, but when you add the fact that many of the parents do not have cars it is easy to see that this limits program participation.

A solution to this is to have a single location that could serve for program. Community School officials identified a building, but the work involved in converting office and warehouse space into classrooms and child care rooms was beyond their budget and expertise. This spring they asked BonaResponds for help.

While the entire job is probably a bit much for purely volunteer labor, there was much that BonaResponds could do, so in characteristic fashion, BonaResponds responded.

In April on the Spring Local Service day, a team of volunteers worked with Community School volunteers to begin the process. They tore down some walls, repaired holes in other walls, and began priming in several rooms. It was a great success, but there was much work left and so this past Saturday BonaResponds was at it again. A new team of students, community members, Bona alumni, and Community School volunteers spackled, painted, and cleaned for hours.

It is important to measure things in quantifiable terms. But when asked what BonaResponds accomplished at the Community School site it may be more important to focus on what can not be so easily quantified. It is not that I want to ignore the walls that have been removed, nor the many holes that have been filled and patched, or even the 25+ gallons of paint that now cover the new walls. No, these are all important accomplishments that are important in their own way. The real accomplishment however is something else that happened. Something that is hard to measure: the volunteers gave hope.

Slowly and surely, the new layout of the facility began to take shape. From what was a dreary old office, classroom and child care rooms appeared. People can visualize what previously had only been an idea on a piece of paper. This visualization is important not only for the Community Schools staff who must often be tempted to lose their hope, but also to the program participants who can see that people care and that there is at least hope for a better future.

Oh sure there is still work to be done. Community Schools is waiting on a grant to pay for the windows, bathrooms need to be converted and made handicap accessible, and a kitchen area just be created, but it is coming. The dream is now attainable. There is hope.

So when someone asks what was accomplished through BonaResponds Local service days, tell them a downward spiral was halted. And a new spiral—an upward one—was started!

We can do "better"

I just took a shower.

It is 6:00 PM on Saturday July 28 and as I sit to type this I am just out of a long hot (global warming inducing hot) shower. While the layers of dirt were washed away and I no longer smell of mold, sweat, cat urine, and dirt, the shower was only partially successful. Why only a partial success? Because I still feel dirty. Because on demand I can conjure up the smell, and recall in vivid detail the squalor and the unspeakable living conditions that “John” is still living in.

You see, today was a BonaResponds’ Local Service day. Some volunteers painted, others fixed walls for new classrooms, I worked at John’s house.

His house is as bad as many of those BonaResponds worked on in the months immediately following Katrina. The difference was that John lives in Western New York, less than ten miles from the idyllic Bonaventure campus, and the third-world living conditions were not made by any weather disaster.

I knew it was going to be bad. We had received many emails from his guardian angels (two local residents who have been looking out for John). I had seen the yard and the outside of the house. I knew it was going to be bad. I really did. I knew it was going to smell inside. I knew it was going to be a lot of work. But like in Gulf after the Katrina, knowing what the conditions and experiencing them are two totally different things.

Arriving at John’s house the size and scope of the job hit me hard. A team four times our size would be needed to finish the job. I was overwhelmed. I was discouraged. How can we get this much done? Just the work outside would take a much larger team days to complete in the best of conditions. We had ten volunteers on this site and today.

But the longest journey begins with a single step, so we started. Some volunteers began on cutting back the bushes that were blocking much of the driveway. Others began the long process of picking up the pieces of the front porch that had collapsed and were strewn about ten feet below the front door. Others worked on the side of the house, removing a broken fence, a dangerous entrance way, and cutting back the tree that hung on the roof.

Guardian angel Greg however took the most challenging job. He went inside and began working with John on removing some of the accumulated piles that covered every inch of the house. As the only reasonably safe entrance was to the basement, the work began there. It was slow. There was standing water on the floor. It was quite dark. The ceiling was low with cobwebs hanging from many support beams. There was stuff everywhere: an old sofa covered in bugs and mold, food whose “use by” date was a decade ago, and scores of plastic garbage bags that held everything imaginable (indeed, a moment that absolutely floored me was as I picked up a bag to haul to the dumpster only to be severely reprimanded by John as it was not garbage but his laundry). Oh and it smelled. Oh did it smell.

I cheated and went back outside and worked with the other volunteers. The work was hard, dirty, and even a bit daunting (there was so much to do). But it was better than the being inside.

As the hours clicked past, significant improvement was made. Lynn and Mike had cleared the driveway. Larry, Mike, and Paul had cleared the side yard including the dangerous entrance way and hauled the metal fence away for recycling. Joann had helped everywhere and dealt with a neighbor who was upset about the dumpster placement.

But the real star of the day was still inside. Greg, who if the Vatican had any sense would be canonized tomorrow, had stayed inside. Clearing his way first through the basement, and then upstairs into the living area, this guardian angel persuaded John that things had to be thrown out and proceeded to fill countless bags to be hauled away. He had opened up some space to allow John to move about and to make the house somewhat more livable.

As the time approached to leave, group photos were taken and good bye’s exchanged. There was still almost an unimaginable amount of work to be done. But we had made a dent. The house still did not have properly working indoor plumbing. It was still an absolute mess. But it was better. It was cleaner. It was safer. John would be able to get along that much better. BonaResponds had made a positive contribution.

But back at home and fresh from the shower, the success is not on my mind. I am thinking that I was in his house for about an hour and yet even now miles away and after a long hot shower, I could not shake the smell or the vision of the deplorable living conditions. John, on the other hand, was living in the conditions day after day without the luxury of a shower.

Thus I was very glad that before leaving John’s I had spoken with his guardian angels about making his home part of our next local service day as well. It will give us another opportunity to help out a neighbor in need. We will never be able to make things perfect. But “better” we can do. We made things better today and will make them even better at our next local service day on September 8^th.

Won't you join us?

Successful local service day!

Group Photo
Originally uploaded by FinanceProfessor.

What a day! I am exhausted. We worked at two sites and wow did we work!

I will give a longer update soon, but wanted everyone to know it has a big success. This is a photo of the group that worked at "John's" house.

It was much work (as much as many Gulf Coast sites!). While we got tons (literally) done, there is much more to do. If not before, I am sure we will be back on our next local service day on Septemb

Dress to work

Come dressed for work this Saturday. You will be painting, plastering, hauling trash etc.

I would encourage you wear work boots and clothes you do not mind getting dirty.

Updates on Local Service day

Just a few reminders:

The BonaResponds' local service day will be this Saturday! from 9 to about 2. Our base of operations will be the Old Nabisco Building (Olean School District's Central receiving). Get directions here.


There will be coffee and some basic refreshments there, but please bring a lunch.

Some volunteers will be staying at the site to paint and ready the building for classes (they still need some windows and other work for which they are awaiting funding). Others will go to "John's" house to work there.

If we get enough volunteers we will also be working on a few beautification projects with the City of Olean.

If you are under 18, a parent will have to sign this form. If you are under 16, you must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Heart felt request for help from Olean resident

Why have a local service day? Here is one reason!

I recently received the following email. The names have been changed and a very few details so as to retain anonymity.

I would like to suggest a job for the BonaResponds’ local service day. It may not have the excitement of some of your trips, but your impact will be very great.

I have been working with a local resident who I will call “John” who has special needs. He is a very intelligent but also a very "unusual" person. He has lived in the same home his whole life, a home his father built. Up until 2 years ago, he lived there with his mother. She passed away from cancer. She was very reclusive and refused to go out of the area for medical treatment.

I actually met John as a result of his mother’s illness. I worked at Red Cross at the time, and he came in wanting me to help him talk specialists into coming to Olean to treat her since she wouldn't go to Buffalo or Rochester. It was a major accomplishment to get her to go to Olean General. I then also assisted him with utility bills and referrals to local social service agencies. I believe there are some mental health issues though I would not be able to give an accurate diagnosis. His only income is Social Security Disability. He is a very social person who walks into town every day to meet with his friends (older retired people who get together at local coffee shops) and he also visits many of the businesses in the area as well.

He has some lifeskills issues that have always needed to be addressed, such as personal hygiene, cleaning clothes, etc. As I have gotten to know him and his mother through the years, he has grown to trust me. He also trusts a friend of mine, Robert, who works at one of the businesses that he visits regularly. For years, John has gone there every Friday to take Robert's paycheck to the bank for him, Robert in turn gives him a few dollars for "helping" him. John has been very devoted and trustworthy with this job and is very proud of the fact that he helps Robert.

Robert and I and one of his cousins from out of town have been in the home, I don't know about any others who he has allowed in. I think he realizes that his living conditions are bad and doesn't want others to know. It is also such a daunting task. It is hard to know where to begin. As we have worked with him through these years it became obvious that one of the reasons for the poor hygiene is that he doesn't have running water in the home.
So, as mentioned in a previous email, his family pooled money and paid to have a septic system put in as well as indoor plumbing replaced.

The septic system was installed last month and it is now essential that the house be cleared out so that and the plumber that he is bringing in can get to the work area. (Just an idea but perhaps another job that you and yours may be interested in is bringing in some topsoil to plant grass or perhaps a garden and/or flowers where the bulldozer has cleared the area around his house)

I talked with Robert yesterday after hearing from you and asked him about helping to coordinate work so that when your group comes jobs would be lined up. He is going to put together a list of jobs that need to be done. He actually mentioned that it would be helpful to have a dumptser and just empty the house in one fell swoop instead of countless trips with his truck. John will most likely become stressed about having all of the junk removed but he also realizes that it needs to be done. Therefore it would be ideal to get this job done as quickly and efficiently as possible. I think if we have Robert and John's cousin there as "team leaders" John will be able to handle to help a lot better since he trusts them both.

It won't be an easy job, the house is a mess but if we can get it cleared out quickly and get the plumbing installed so that he can actually take a shower, wash dishes, use a toilet, obviously his life will be drastically improved. I am working on getting him involved with Directions In Independent Living for help with some of the lifeskills training I would be happy to come and talk with the volunteers to answer any questions, as would Robert, and his cousin.

I noticed on the website that you have a smaller work day scheduled at the end of July, would you be able to have volunteers come then as well?

I hope I haven't scared you away from this mission of mercy. When I emailed his cousin to tell her there may be help coming from your group, she replied saying she read my email through her tears and that this was an answer to her prayers since she didn't know how just the three of us could get this job done alone.

The happy ending to John's story is that a group like yours saves the day by helping to make the only home he has ever known livable. If we can do that I am sure your volunteers will feel the joy of a job well done for years to come for they would have helped a proud and pious man maintain his independence and GREATLY improve his quality of life.

I am also sure that as John gets to know some of the volunteers and realizes that they are there to help him, he will open up to them and allow them to get to know him. He can really carry on some very intelligent conversations about politics, satellite systems, computers (he does email and loves to communicate that way so that could be another way people could get to know him)

I look forward to talking with you and your volunteers soon, and am so grateful that you have been guided into this situation. Everything happens for a reason, and "meeting" you through Mary DiRisio is a Godsend. Thanks for all that you do.
Joann

A request for volunteers

This is a conversation with Dr. Bob Titzler ("Dr. Bob") on the need for volunteers in the Gulf Coast area almost 23 months after the storm.

Especially needed is anyone with medical or psychological expertise.

And if you could forward his request to those who do have the skills, someone down there will be very grateful! So forward this to doctors, nurses, psychologists, and even priests etc who provide social services.

BTW IF you don't have these skills, there is still much work for you as well. We'll be talking about that soon.

The first 10 seconds are sort of messed up. Sorry. After that it sounds ok.

Hands On Gulf Coast: Recovery, etc.

Hands On Gulf Coast: Recovery, etc.

Some of you no doubt remember Chris from Handson-Biloxi. He wrote a report on the recovery in the Gulf. Definitely recommend you read it! (in fact i will cross list it on RandomTopics2 and BonaResponds' blog)

One look in:

"...this presentation, which is about keeping volunteers engaged in long-term recovery is an opportunity to raise the awareness at a national level about the needs of the post-Katrina Gulf Coast, provides me an excuse to work late and spend a lot of time reading documents about the state of recovery.

One interesting report I found...provides a broad overview of recovery, now 18 months underway, across Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Some areas have experienced explosive growth, while others whither under poor management and staggering losses."

Read Chris' blog entry here.

Weather Channel Video on New Orleans

Video On Demand:

"As the 2007 hurricane season begins, Julie Martin visits New Orleans to see how the city is recovering from Hurricane Katrina."

Also if you get a chance, the Strom Stories on Springfield Illinois tornado looks eerily like the days after Enterprise's tornado. They even speak to some of the volunteers.

While we were not there, it again reaffirms the need for volunteers following major storms.

Presidential quotes on volunteering

Two interesting and relevant quotes

• No matter how big and powerful government gets, and the many services it provides, it can never take the place of volunteers. --Ronald Reagan
• Throughout my life, I've seen the difference that volunteering efforts can make in people's lives. I know the personal value of service as a local volunteer. --Jimmy Carter

From Volunteer Recognition

Just look at this backyard!

This was the hardest yard ever! So many trees. I still perfectly remember my thoughts when we got there: "There is no way we can make any impact."

Lesson learned: slow and steady progress does get much done!

This was in west Enterprise

Bill cutting a HUGE tree

This tree was over 200 years old. It was so big!

Anthony reflecting on the management of BonaResponds

All well said, and true, but he should get text messaging! ;)

Often words cannot fully describe a person’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This is certainly the case with BonaResponds and to try to describe the last two years of my life as a leader in the group is almost impossible. I don’t mention that I was a leader in the group because I am looking for any special recognition (I will leave that for James…if you have ever been involved in the group then you know who I am writing about). Rather, I mention my leadership role because it was the jobs that I did behind the scenes as a leader in BonaResponds that made the experience so rewarding for me.

First off, working with James Kane, the same James listed above, and Jim Mahar, the founder of the group, is an experience in and of itself. They are both big picture kind of people and I am without question a details person. Jim liked to say, “We’re not building watches,” when I would get too worried about the details. I didn’t really listen to him and kept “building watches” because who else was going to spend four or five hours at a time updating the contact information in our volunteers database. However, to call the jobs I did with them (or more like for them because there was a lot of stuff they just did not want to do) as work is a bit of an exaggeration. Yes, being a leader in the group kept me busy but more than anything, it was a whole lot of fun.

Going to Home Depot with James to buy supplies/tools for BonaResponds projects was always a great time. Somehow, I always knew that we would be in the store for at least an hour even if it should have only taken around ten minutes. I can’t begin to count the number of times that he would stop and show me the hammer that he thought I should buy. Why he thought this information was important to me I really don’t know but he did. James really loves that store and I don’t think he ever left there without buying at least one tool that only he would think is necessary. I could go on and tell more stories at James and Jim’s expense because there are a lot of stories but I will simply say that some of my favorite memories from college involve these two individuals and I will probably stay in contact with them for the rest of my life (but not by text messaging).

Obviously, only three people do not run BonaResponds. There have been many other leaders in the group and they have all had an important role in making BonaResponds what is. Some have been involved in planning and executing almost every event while others have had less crucial roles and helped out when it was possible for them to do so. People help define their own role in the group and that is one of the most exciting things about BonaResponds. I would mention all of these people by name but there are simply too many. They know who they are.

I know that I haven’t mentioned any of the service trips or local service days yet but I think I will have to save that for another day. For now, I just wanted to give an idea of what BonaResponds is like when not on the trips or volunteering in the community. Most people rarely see this side of BonaResponds even if, in my opinion, it is as much fun as the trips themselves. I hope everyone will give BonaResponds a try at least once no matter how big or small of a role a person wants to play. I understand volunteering is not for everyone but in the end you can help a lot of people and maybe make the world a little bit better. There really is no down side to seeing if it something that you want to be involved in. Moreover, for the people that do decide to be leaders I just want to say check your email…frequently.

Anthony Dimario

Same hill a tad lower down

By no means were we the only group there. Many local groups, the Bapists, the Enterprise Football team, Persevere Volunteers, and many others.

Here are some other views of homeowners and others working side by side.

A busy section of Enterprise

This was the hill that the "Ant People" essay was written about.

This is actually only a small part. Multiply the video by about 5 times and you get a picture of how much work BonaRespond volunteers were doing at that time!

I may never have been more proud of the group.

James cutting down a tree in Pass Christian

This tree was both about dead and in the way of another trailer they were trying to get on the property.

A funny thing to notice is how some volunteers kept running long after the tree was down.

Greg and Laura putting up a ceiling

Greg and Laura are shown here putting up a dry wall on the ceiling in Poplarville MS.

For more on Poplarville see:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Poplarville-Mississippi.html

Mike being interviewed by Cindy

Cindy decided she should get to interview Mike (formerly known as Lance).

Again notice the great microphones we have...LOL.

Enjoy!

A January Interview with Randy from Randy's Rangers

Randy of Randy's Rangers stating why volunteering is so important and giving some idea of how much work is left.

This is from January but since things take so long to change I thought it was worth uploading.

Mary lives in West Enterprise

It is sort of difficult to hear over the chain saws, but if for no other reason, look at the yard.

It was the hardest "tree day" I had ever done. Harder than any I did in Biloxi, Pass Christian, or Buffalo. A few of the trees were over 200 years old!

Interview with Cindy

Upload of a video (pretty poor quality) from Mississippi. We helped build a new house for the family in March 2007. (the video quality is pretty bad, but better than nothing!)

Very nice family who have had nothing but bad luck.

Interview with Enterprise AL resident

A sad talk with Mr. Quisenberry of Enterprise AL. This was the neighborhood "just below" the high school where we worked for the first three days before moving off to the far side (the West side) of town.

Melissa on how to lay tiles

Melissa is not a student at St. Bonaventure but as we stress every time we are given a chance, BonaResponds is open to ALL!

This is also in MS in March 2007.

Another tour of Pass Christian

This is further west. We left from Randy's Rangers, drove around, and then returned. You will see block after block of slabs where houses once stood.

A tour of downtown Pass Christian

This does not do it justice, but the enormity of the recovery efforts might be seen to a degree. There are places that are worse.

Ashley's "Interview"

Another so-called interview on the van ride back from Mississippi. This one is with Ashley. (be sure to notice her great microphone!)

Bridget and Kristina grouting

I do not know for sure, but prior to the trip I doubt either of them knew how to grout tiles. Now they do!

Which is even more proof that you do not need to be experts to make a big difference!

Mike (AKA Lance) interviewing Cindy

With much time on the drive down and back, some interviews are less serious than others. Here Mike (AKA as Lance) interviews volunteer Cindy.

Carrie writing on BonaResponds

As part of a website upgrade I asked several BonaResponds members to write up a quick piece on what BonaResponds means to them.

Here is Carrie's

"For me and several other members of the St. Bonaventure community, BonaResponds (BR) has evolved from a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to an "everyday" activity. My first involvement with BR came during the Spring semester of 2006. I didn't feel like going home for spring break, but I had nothing planned. Jim Mahar was my Intro. to Corporate Finance professor at the time, and he persuaded me to co-coordinate a little league drive that would collect equipment and monetary donations for and deliver to little leagues devastated by Hurricane Katrina. I'd never visited the Gulf Coast, and this seemed like an amazing opportunity to help out.

I accepted the invitation/challenge, and have never regretted it. Since that first trip, I've returned to the Gulf Coast two more times, helped organize and participate in multiple local service days, volunteered in Buffalo during the "Surprise Snowstorm" several days, and there may be more that I'm forgetting.

BonaResponds has enabled me to meet and build strong relationships with students, faculty, and community members that I never would have otherwise. It offers a break from the ordinary, and adds to the beauty of St. Bonaventure.

The smiles you create, and the thanks you receive are immeasurably phenomenal."

Well said!

Orientation Organizational Fair

Just received the following email:

"The New Student Orientation Organizational Fair will take place on the second day of each orientation session (July 9, 14, 16, and 20). The fair will take place in Butler Gym, and will run from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 for parents, and from 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. for students. Thank you."

If anyone is around and can make some of these, it would be VERY much appreciated!

Two more videos

Just the videos...no editing. They are not perfect, but worth watching!

Cindy from Poplarville. The grandfather from Poplarville.

Interview from January with Randy

I had been meaning to turn this into a video for real, but I guess I probably won't get to it. So instead, I will just put up the raw video. I will have a few others soon.

Video of Randy May of Randy's Rangers--January 2007

Comments on BonaResponds from James

I asked several members of BonaResponds to write a few paragraphs about what BonaResponds means to them. They will be running here and I will link to them on the BonaResponds webpage as well.

We will start off with James Kane's comments. James as most of you know was the student leader for much of the past year and while I can say much bad about him (some of it is even true!), he will be very hard to replace and all of us in BonaResponds will have to step up.

His comments:

"BonaResponds defined my college career. It was through BonaResponds
that I developed many close friends and had several memorable moments,
such as any time Jim Mahar did something foolish.

I wish BonaResponds was around when I was a freshman at St. Bonaventure. BonaResponds provides an opportunity for people to serve communities, whether near or far, at their convenience. People who could only commit one day or an entire semester joined BonaResponds.

BonaResponds is constantly known as the group that did the "hurricane trip." It is known that BonaResponds sent nearly 300 people to the Gulf, which is the 2nd largest collegiate service trip I've ever heard of.

What a lot of people do not realize is, BonaResponds is much more than hurricane relief. They have sponsored several local service days and even responded to Buffalo after the devastating that struck on October 13, 2006.

It was through BonaResponds that I developed skills such as leadership, which define the person that I am today. BonaResponds made me a better person."

Thanks James!

For Orientation program

If you want to see our orientation flier, here you go. It is a Word document that is pretty big, so it may take a few seconds to open.

Updated the website

Figured it was about time to update the website, so here you go: BonaResponds.org

A belated reflection from Patrick

I had forgotten this had never been posted. Sorry! It is good!

"After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, last year, St. Bonaventure University responded: Bonaresponds. Three hundred students participated in this relief effort. We were divided into 5 sites in Louisiana and Mississippi. I was the leader in the Bay St. Louis, Mississippi group.

We cleaned, gutted homes, and roofed. We laughed, cried, and comforted those who were devastated by the natural disaster. This was an unparallel experience that I will never forget. We received unsurpassed radiance, gratitude, and hospitality from the victims whom we assisted. The most amazing part of this experience was receiving hugs that were made of gold; seeing priceless smiles; and turning the feeling of tragedy into triumph.

Bonaresponds enabled my peers and I to extend a helping hand to our afflicted brothers and sisters in a distant community. We touched many people and gave them hope. We were called heroes. It felt unbelievably good. I couldn't imagine spending a more constructive and rewarding Spring Break. I was able to do what I love most, helping others. Going down to the Gulf Coast was an amazing outlet that enabled me to contribute to my national community.

When the Gulf cried for help, God sent Bonas to the rescue. Bonaresponds went back to the Gulf Coast this year as well. It was our spring break during the first week of March. It was just as amazing as the first trip, if not more amazing. On way down to Mississippi we made a detour stop to Enterprise, Alabama to help out the school that was struck by a tornado. We were the answer to prayers; we are like the guardian angels people call for when they are struggling and in need of help. We hauled branches and trees off homes, collected the scattered property of those whose homes were affected, and we talked to the victims and gave them our ears to share their devastating stories.

Since our visits to the Gulf Coast, Bonaresponds has expanded beyond reaching to those in the national community but to lending a hand in our local community, as well. We volunteered at Buffalo when they were hit with a horrific snow storm every weekend for 5 weeks. We helped renovate a local school. We express the extra tender, loving, care people do not find in others nowadays. It is my great honor working and volunteering with Bonaresponds. "

Bay St Louis: Another Causualty

Bay St Louis: Another Causualty:

"Construction Scaffolding On Bridge Collapses, Sending 9 Workers Into Water
POSTED: 1:43 pm CDT June 14, 2007
UPDATED: 3:44 am CDT June 15, 2007

BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. -- Rescue crews said one worker died and another is missing after their scaffolding collapsed on the U.S. 90 bridge over the Bay of St. Louis"